Braiding machine



Feb. 21, 1939. L. H. KRIPPENDORF BRAIDING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMarch 23, 1938 INVENTOR Louls H. Kri n' enolorf BY M 0 W- ATTORNEY M QAFeb. 21, 1939. 1.. H. KRIPPENDORF BRAIDING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed March 23, 1958 'Iillllfl INVENTOR LOUIS H Krippenclo ma M1 ATTO RNEYSI Feb. 21, 1939. L. H. KRIPPENDORF 2,148,164

BRAIDING MACHINE v Filed March 23, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 21, 1939.L. H. KRIPPENDORF BRAIDING MACHINE Filed March 25 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTUR.

Louls H Krippendorf BY e,

ATTOR YS.

Feb. 21", 1939.

1.. H, KRIPPENDORF 2,148,164

BRAIDING MACHINE Filed March 23, 19:58

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

I Lbuis Kr lppenalorf BY war 7M2 A m3 EYS.

F85 1939- u... H.- KRIPP'ENDORF $3 BR'AIDING MACHINE Filed March 23,1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 appenclorf 1939- H. KRIPPENDORF 2,148,164

BRAIDING MACHINE Filed March 23, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. LouisH. Krippendo rf BY Wax k V Ammvz s.

Patented Feb. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ESRAIDING MACHINELouis Henry Krippendorf, New York, N. Y., 'assigner to AmericanCystoscope Makers, Inc., New York, N. Y., a. corporation of New YorkApplication March 23,

9 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to braiding machines.

Generally speaking, a braid is formed from a number of strands ofsuitable material diagonally interwoven so that each strand passesalternately over and under one or more of the others. A machine foraccomplishing this purpose consists essentially of a series of bobbincarriers, each bobbin supporting one of the strands, the carriers beingadvanced along suitable intersecting paths of travel. Usually, a plateis provided with intersecting serpentine slots, and the bobbincarrlersare provided with lugs extending through theslots so as to be engaged bysuitable driving members. There is a driving member for each lobe of theslot pattern, usually in the form of a horned element continuouslyrotating in one or the other direction. The driving members areinterconnected by a series of gears so that the driving members rotatein alternate directions. The result is that the bobbin carriers in oneserpentine slot are advanced in one direction, while the carriers in theother slot are advanced in the opposite direction.

Where the slots are entirely separate from each other, so that thecarriers in one slot never enter into the other slot, the machine isgenerally spoken of as a round braider, the braided product beingtubular in character. Where the slots are connected by adjacent loopadapted to guide the carriers from one slot into the other and therebyreverse their travel, the machine is generally spoken of as a flatbraider, because the resultant braided product is substantially flat.

unique capability of the present improved machine, braided products ofunusual and specialized character can be produced. Merely by way ofexample, I am enabled to produce a braided tube having one or moreopenings or eyes in it. Such a braided product, heretofore incapable ofcomplete automatic production by machine, enters into the manufacture ofsurgical catheters. By means of the present machine a large variety ofbraided products, consisting partly of the socalled flat braid andpartly of a round braid, can now be successfully and inexpensively wovenentirely by machine. I

The operation of a braiding machine, by the 1938, Serial No. 197,590

very nature of the braid to be produced, requires the maintenance ofpredetermined spacing between successive bobbin carriers and themaintenance of an accurately timed relationship of movement of thecarriers, so that each bobbin carrier will cross one of the slotintersections in predetermined timed relation to the bobbin carriersthat are traveling in the opposite direction. One of the problems I havehad to solve in devising a machine of the present character, i. e.,wherein a change-over from round to flat braiding can be effected,resided in the maintenance of the normal spacing between the carriers.The reason for this difliculty becomes apparent upon a comparison of thecontinuously intersecting slot pattern of the round braider with theslot pattern of the flat braider. The latter includes two adjacent loopsnecessarily traversed by each bobbin carrier to reverse its directionof'travel. Where a round braider is transformed to a flat braiderwithout changing the number of bobbin carriers, then to avoid collisionsand to maintain a proper timed cooperation between the carriers at theslot intersections, it is necessary in one Way or another to speed upthe travel of the bobbin carriers in one loop and to retard the travelof the bobbin carriers in the other loop.

This latter result may be accomplished in various Ways, e. g., by makingone loop of shorter peripheral length and making the other loop oflonger peripheral length while still maintaining constant the linealvelocities of the carriers; or, e. g., by effectingan actual increase inlineal velocity of movement of the carriers in one loop, and effectingan actual retardation or delay in the movement of the carriers in theother loop.. It is the latter system which I prefer to employ and whichI have herein illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

One of the features of my invention lies in the fact that it is notnecessary to alter the number of bobbin carriers in effecting atransformation of the machine from one type of braider to the other.

I accomplish the foregoing objects. and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustrativelyexemplified in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is afragmentary view of a tubular braid with an opening or eye therein;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe. line 2-1 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the pertinent portion of abraiding'machine of the present character;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the directions of travel of thebobbin carriers when the machine is used as a round braider;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing the carrier travel whenthe machine is used as a flat braider;

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the lower portion ofFigure 4, with parts broken away for the sake of clearness;

"Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure '7, taken substantially along theline 9--9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a plan view of one of the cams shown by itself; I

Figure 11 is a plan view, shown by itself, of the element that is guidedby the cam of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the horned driving member that cooperateswith the element of Figure 11;

Figure 13 'is a plan view of another cam shown by itself; I

Figure 14 is a plan view, shown by itself, of the horned driving memberthat cooperates with the cam of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a front view of Figure 14;

Figures 16-19 inclusive are diagrammatic views similar to Figure 7,showing the operation of the machine when used as a round braider; and

Figures 20-23 inclusive are views similar to Figures 16-19, showing theoperation when the machine is used as a flat braider.

The present machine employs the usual su stantially circular plate inwhich there are two intersecting serpentine slots 3| and 32. Mounted forguided advancement in these slots are a series of bobbin carriers whichmay be of any usual construction. As viewed in Figure 4, I have shown aseries of bobbin carriers 33 in the slot 3|, and a series of bobbincarriers 34 in the slot 32.

All the bobbin carriers are alike, but when the machine is operating asa round braider, so that the paths of travel of the carriers are asindicated in Figure 5, the carriers in the slot 3| remain in that slotand never enter the slot 32; while the carriers in the slot 32,traveling in the opposite direction, never enter into the slot 3|.

'During such operation of the machine, the strands 35 are braidedtogether to form a tubular structure such as that shown most clearly inFigure 2.

In accordance with my invention, I provide an arrangement at at leastone of the slot intersections to selectively guide the carriers eitheracross the intersection, or from one slot to the other.

Assuming that the present arrangement is associated with theintersection 36 of Figure 5, I am thus enabled to transform the slotpattern of Figure 5 into that of Figure 6. In the latter pattern,attention is directed to the adjacent loops 31 and 38, the loop 31serving to guide the carriers in the slot 32 into the slot 3|; the loop38 similarly guiding the carriers in the slot 3| into the slot 32; andthere being in each case complete reversal of travel of the bobbin car-1 th the carriers traveling along the intersecting paths indicated inFigure 6, the machine is operating as a so-called flat braider, duringwhich period of operation a product such as that shown most clearly inFigure 3 is produced.

Because of the facility with which the present machine may beselectively transformed between the modes of operation shown in Figures5 and 6, I am enabled to produce a braided product of the For thepurpose of explaining the general nature of my invention, however, Ihave illustrated ,a machine in which the special arrangement is providedonly in association with one slot intersection, viz., the intersectiondesignated 36 in Figure 5. i

This special arrangement consists essentially of a guiding partition orwall 40 mounted for movement into and out of a position sealing theintersection 36 transversely. The wall 40 is preferably mounted in aslot and guided in a reciprocatory manner by means of a handle 4|pivoted to the machine as at 42. In Figure 4, and also in Figure 'l, thewall 4|] is in a retracted position, leaving the intersection 36 openfor cross-travel of the carriers. When the handle 4| is manipulated toposition the wall 40 in an endwise manner across the intersection 36, asindicated by 'dot-and-dash lines in Figures 20-23, the intersection issealed transverselyand the bobbin car- I riers then travel in accordancewith the pattern of Figure 6. L

It will be understood that the strands 35 customarily travel upwardlyfrom the bobbin carriers toward a sort of apex 43 at which the actualbraiding takes place, the braided product, as it is formed, beingwithdrawn upwards and guided in any suitable manner onto a take-up reelor the like. This mode of operation is well known per se and is,therefore, not illustrated in detail.

The bobbin carriers themselves are also wellknown per se and are,therefore, not illustrated in detail. However, it may be pointed out,with respect to Figures 7 and '8, that each bobbin carrier is providedwith an oval plate 44 which rides on the top surface of the plate 30,and with a bottom plate 45 which rides along the under surface of theplate 30, the plates 44 and 45 being connected by an elongated shank 46(see right hand portion of Figure '7) which rides in one or the other ofthe serpentine slots and is guided thereby. Each carrier also carriesbeneath the plate 45 a downwardly projecting lug 41, this lug beingcircular in cross-section, and being the element that is engaged bysuccessive driving members in order to advance the carrier alon the slotin which it is mounted.

The structure of the bobbin carrier above the plate 44 is a matter whichdoes not enter into the present invention and is, therefore, merelyindicated in certain of the figures, more detailed description beingunnecessary in the present case.

Referring now to Figures 7, 8, and 9, I will point out-first that theplate 30 is retained in spaced relationship, from an under plate 48 bymeans of suitable spacer studs designated generally by the referencenumeral 49. Wherever necessary, as at the left. of Figure 8, the bottomplate 48 is provided with an additional under plate 56, the purpose ofthese under plates being to serve as a housing for the gearing and alsofor the driving members.

Because of the intersecting slots 3| and 32, portions of the top plate36 are completely sepa rated from the body of the plate, constitutingislands which are held in position by the studs 49. The normal islands,such as those shown at 5| and 52 in Figure '7, have pointed ends 53 toconform to the slot intesections. The islands 54 and 55 arranged onopposite sides of the intersections 36 are, however, of slightlymodified shape, having the pointed ends 56 at the intersections 5! and58, but having rounded contours adjacent to the intersection 36.

In order to compensate for this relatively deficient slot guidance ofthe shanks 46 at the intersection 36, I provide the auxiliary guideelements 66 mounted for limited pivotal movements around axes 6| andurged toward the intersection 36 by the leaf springs 62, the elements66, BI,

and 62 being carried by the islands 54 and 55,

respectively, as shown most clearly in Figure 7. The elements 66 serveas guides for the plates 44 of the bobbin carriersto facilitate theirtravel through this region of the machine.

I also prefer to provide the leaf springs 59 which are adapted to bearagainst the plates 44 of the bobbin carriers as the latter pass throughthis region of the machine, these springs serving to hold the lugs ofthe carriers against the horns of the driving members in this region ofthe machine.

In each lobe of the slot pattern there is a driving member. Beneath theislands 5|l and 52 the driving members are of conventional character.

Beneath the islands 54 and 55 the driving memhers are of specialcharacter.

Mounted on the stud 49, which is centered with respect to the island 5|,is a sleeve 65; and rotatably mounted on this sleeve is the drivingmember 66 having peripheral gear teeth. The latter mesh with the teethon a similar gear 61 rotatably mounted on a sleeve 66 on the nextadjacent stud 49. The gear 61 similarly meshes with a gear 69 mountedbeneath the island and this gear in turn meshes with a driving member 16beneath the island 52. In a similar way, the driving members throughoutthe entire .machine are geared together, and at a suitable part of themachine a motive power is applied to one of .the gears, therebyeffecting rotational conventional horned variety.

movements of all the driving members.

i The gears 66 and 10 are of the more or less I have shown the gear 66provided with the four horns H (see Figure 9), and "-I have shown thegear 10 provided with the four horns 12. The only difierence between thehorns II and I2 is that the latter stand further away from the body ofthe gear 16 so that they will not conflict with the horns on the nextadjacent normal gear (not shown) which is of the character shown at 66.Similarly, the horns II on the gear 66 are lower than the horns on thenext adjacent normal gear (not shown) which will be of the type shown at16. This variance in horns extends around the ma- Y chine and is acustomary expedient.

Mounted directly beneath the island 54 is' acam 13 having a spiraloperative surface 14 substantially as shown in Figures 9 and. 10. Thiscam is rigidly secured to the island 54.

Directly beneath this cam is a disc 15 in which a slot 16 is formed.Mounted for reciprocation in this slot is a wiper or special horn 11,-

the spring 19 and the cam surface 14, the wiper 11 projects outwardlyfrom the disc 15 during certain regions of its rotative travel, and isretracted into the slot 16 during other regions of its travel.

Immediately beneath the disc 15 is a horned driving member 8| providedwith four horns and characterized by the fact that each of the horns ismounted in a yieldable manner. For purposes of illustration, one horn 82will be'described in detail. It consists of an L-shaped member normallyprojecting in a radial manner as shown in Figure 12, one arm of the. Lbeing pivoted, as at 83, to the disc 8|.

free to yield into the dot-and-dash position 85 of Figure 12 when pushedin a clockwise direction. When it yields, it presses against a yieldableleaf spring 86 serving conjointly to hold all of the horns 82 in theirnormal projecting rela-- tionship.

The member 88 is rigidly secured to the gear 61 and rotates with thelatter on the outside of the sleeve 66. The latter is either integralwith or securely fastened to the disc 15 and is also secured to a gear61. The latter meshes with a gear 86 which is in turn secured to thesleeve 65, the latter being keyed or otherwise secured to the normalgear 66.

The 'gear 88 is larger than the gear 81 by an amount sufficient to drivethe disc 15, and with it the wiper ll, at a speed twice as great as thatof the horned driving member at.

Reference will now be had to the driving mechanism beneath the island,55, the elements of which are shown most clearly in Figures 13-15.

Mounted directly beneath the island 55 and secured thereto'in anysuitable manner is the oddly shaped cam 89 having the operative innercam surface 96. This cam is shown in dot-anddash lines in Figure 8because it is technically not visible alongthe line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Beneath the cam 89, and firmly secured to the A stop pin 84 limits theoutward movement of the horn 82, but the horn is gear 69, is the horneddriving member 9| shown most clearly in Figures 14 and 15. This memberhas four horns, two of which are fixed and two of which are retractable.The fixed horns 92 are diametrically opposite each other and may be 7horn 93, however, is provided with the pin 96.

adapted to engage withthe operative surface 90 of the cam 89, therebyperiodically retracting each horn 93 during a predetermined region ofits rotative travel. Each of the horns 93 is preferably provided withlateral fins adapted to ride in corresponding grooves 91 for guidingpurposes.

The operation of the machine can best be described upon reference flrstto Figures 16-19, and by subsequent comparative reference to Figures-23.

- In Figures 16-19 the machine is operating as a. round braider, theelement 40 of Figure 4 being retracted so as to leave the slotintersection 36 unimpeded; whereby the carriers in the slot 32 travelcontinuously in one direction, always within the slot 32, while thecarriers in the slot 3| travel continuously in the opposite direction,always in the slot 3|.

For illustrative purposes, I have shown lugs b, c, d, and e of fourcarriers in the slot 32 traveling, so far as Figures 16-19 areconcerned, from left to right. I have also shown lugs w, as, y, and z offour carriers traveling from right to left within the slot 3|. It willbe noted upon viewing Figure 16 that the lug b is under the influence ofone of the horns 1|; the lug c is under the influence of one of thehorns 82; the lug d is under the infiuence of one of the fixed horns 92;and the lug e .is under the influence of one of the horns 12.

Similarly, traveling in the opposite direction, the lug w is under theinfluence of another horn 12; the lug a: is under the influence of oneof the retractable horns 93; the lug y is under the influence of anotherof the horns 82; and the lug z is under the influence of another of thehorns 1|.

The lug c has just completed crossing the intersection 51 and the lug yis just about ready to' cross this same intersection in the oppositedirection. The lug a: is about to cross the intersection 38, at whichtime it will be picked up by one of the horns 82. The lug w isapproaching the inter-' a revolution. The lug b is still under theinflu-' ence of the horn 1|; the lug c is still under the influence ofthe horn 82; the lug o. is still under the influence of the horn 92; andthe lug e is still under the influence of the horn 12. The lug w,crossing the intersection 58, is being picked up by the horn 83 whichhas sprung out into operative position. The lug a: has been picked up byone of the horns 82; and the lug y, in process of crossing theintersection 51, is being picked up by one of the horns 1|.

After an additional one-sixteenth revolution, the parts assume therelationship of Figure 18 in which the wiper 11 is shown in retractedposition and in which an ensuing lug v has made its appearance in theslot 3|.

After an additional one-fourth revolution, the parts assume thepositions shown in Figure 19. The carriers having almost completed arevolution of 180, as compared with Figure 16, it will be observed thatthe wiper 11 has almost completed a revolution of 360. Again, this wiperis too far behind the lug :c to have any effect upon it, since the luga: will be at the intersection 51 before the wiper 11 catches up to it.

- It will also be noted in Figure 19 that the horn 83, formerlyoperative to advance the lug 1:, is now inoperative and in retractedposition.

Also, a lug "a in the slot 32 has now made its appearance at the left ofFigure 19.

The parts of Figure 19 are substantially correspondent to the parts inFigure 16, except that all the lugs have been advanced across one of theslot intersections. Thus, the lug b has advanced across the intersection51; the lug c has advanced across the intersection 35; and the lug d hasadvanced across the intersection 58. Similarly, the

,lug w has advanced across the intersection 58;

the lug a: has advanced across the intersection 36; and the lug y hasadvanced across the intersection 51.

This advancement of the carrier lug is continued in the same way, aslong as the machine continues to operate as a round braider.

The special functions of the wiper 11 and of the retractable horns 93have not yet manifested themselves. But the unique functioning of theseparts will become readily apparent upon a similar examination of Figures20-23, which represent the operation of the machine when it isfunctioning as a fiat braider.

In the first place, it will be noticed that the guiding partition 40 ofFigure4 has been advanced across the intersection 36, as a result ofwhich the slot pattern is of the character shown in Figure 6.

In Figure 20 the parts are in exactly the same relative positions asthey are in Figure 16, except for the fact that the partitioning wall 40has been advanced. It may be noted, in passing, that this adjustment ofthe wall 40 is all that is necessary to transform the operation fromthat indicated in Figure 5 to that indicated in Figure 6; and it willthus be obvious that the present machine is an outstanding improvementin the art since the change-over requires no interruption of operation,nor any removal of excess bobbin carriers, nor substitution of new gearsor parts.

It should be observed that the carriers b, c, d, and e, both in Figure20 and also in Figure 16, are spaced from each other by 180. Thus, thelug c is 180in advance of the lug b; the lug d is 180 in advance of thelug c; and the lug e is a one-eighth of a revolution. This view correi.

sponds, therefore, to Figure 17 and the parts are in the samerelationship as in Figure 1'1 except for the lug at. In Figure 17, thislug has been picked up by the horn 82; but in Figure 21 it is deflectedby the wall 40 and, therefore, remains under the control of the lug 83.

This impairs the spacing between lugs, as will be noted upon aconsideration of lugs 11 and d. The lug 31 should have behind it 9. lugwhich is 180 to the rear. In Figure 1'7 this requirement is met by thelug :1: which is 180 behind the lug y. In Figure 21, however, the lug a:has been deflected and it is the lug c which .is now behind the lug y.The lug 0, however, is 270 behind the lug y, and this gap must be closedup during the traverse of the lug around the loop 31.

Similarly, the lug d in Figure 17 is followed up by the lug c which is Ibehind it. In Figure 21, however, it will be observed that the lug :chas been interposed, and it is the lug a: which now follows the lug d.The lug at, however, is only behind the lug d and must, therefore, beretarded during its traverse of the loop 38.

Thisnecessary readjustment of the normal spacing between the lugs istaken care of by the present mechanism, as indicated most clearly inFigures 22 and 23. In Figure 22, the high-speed wiper H has just aboutcaught up to the lug c; and in Figure 23 it has already succeeded inadvancing the lug c, at an accelerated rate of speed, to a point whichis approximately 180 behind the lug y. 'In effecting this movement ofthe lug c, it will be observed from Figure 23 that the lug c is causedto bear upon the rearsurface of one of the horns 82. Unless the horn 82is yieldable, the smooth operation would be interfered with. That is thereason why the lugs 82 are each of yieldable character, as illustratedmost clearly in Figure 12. In Figure 23, the horn 82 upon which the lugc is pressing is in the process of yielding to permit passage of the lug0.

With respect to the lug ac, it will be noted from Figure 22 that theretraction of the horn 93, which has theretofore served to advance thelug 1:, leaves the lug a: stranded until it is again picked up by thesucceeding horn 92, as shown in Figure 23. This permits the lug d toadvance through 90 while the lug :1: stands still; and in this way thenormal spacing of 180 between the lug d and the lug a which follows itis restored.

After a desired period of operation as a fiat braider, during which timean opening or eye is formed in the normally tubular braided product, thepartitioning wall 40 may be again withdrawn to enable a resumption ofoperation of the character illustrated in Figures 16-19. During theoperation of the machine as a round braider, as indicated in Figures 16and 19, the high-speed wiper l1 fulfills no function and the periodicretraction of the horns '93 is similarly of no utility.

It will be understood that, from certain aspects, my invention is notrestricted to a machine which is necessarily transformable from one modeof operation to another. For-example, the functioning oi the specialmechanism, as indicated in Figures 20-23, is useful in a machine that isconstructed to serve permanently as a flat braider,

By the employment of the present improved .mechanism the flat braider isenabled to operate with an-even number of bobbin carriers, a capabilltywhich is absent from conventional flat braiders so far as I am aware.

I mention this feature because it is customary at the present time forthe user of a round braider to rebuild the same to make it serve as a.fiat braider. At the present time, this rebuilding necessarily involvesthe removal of one of the bobbin carriers. By means of the presentinvention, such removal would be unnecessary.

I further draw attention to the fact that the adjustment of thepartitioning wall 40, While illustrated as a procedure to beaccomplished by a manual operation, may obviously be taken care of bymechanical or electrical means, and I do not consider my invention to belimited to a manual adjustment of the partitioning wall.

Furthermore, I have illustrated the invention in connection with asimple type of braid, in which a single strand interweaves alternatelywith other single strands. It is within the purview of my invention toapply its features also to braiding machines which are timed andarranged to pro- ,gestoration of proper spaced relationship between thebobbin-carriers, when the machine is adjusted nbm one type of operationto the other, need not necessarily be accomplished by the actualincrease in velocity of one set of carriers and an actual reduction ofthe other. While this mode of accomplishing the result is preferable, itis nevertheless within the purview of my invention to accomplishthissame result by other means, e. g., by making the loop 31 (Figure 6)relatively small with respect to the loop 38. This would cause the lug 0(Figures 21-23) to travel through a shorter distance within a givenperiod of time, and would cause the lug :1: (Figures 21-23) to travelthrough a longer distance within the same period of time, therebyclosing the gap between the lugs c and y, and enlarging the gap betweenthe lugs a: and d.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, hereindescribed and illustrated for the purpose 'of explaining the nature ofmy invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted asillustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.,In a braiding machine, a plate with intersecting serpentine slots, aseries of bobbin carriers, means for advancing the carriers in one slotin one direction and the carriers in the other slot in the oppositedirection, means for selectively guiding the carriers across one of theslot intersections or guiding them into the other slot to reverse theirtravel, and means controlling the movements of the carriers during theirreversal to maintain the normal spacing between them, whereby themachine may be selectively transformed from a round to a flat braiderand vice versa without reducing or increasing the number of bobbincarriers.

2. In a braiding machine, the combination set forth in claim 1, saidlast-named means comprising mechanism for momentarily speeding up thecarriers on one side of said intersection, and mechanism for momentarilyretarding the carriers on the other side of said intersection.

3. In a braiding machine, a plate with intersecting serpentine slots, aseries of bobbin carriers, means comprising a horned driving member foreach lobe of the slot pattern for advancing the carriers in one slot inone direction and the carriers in the other slot in the'oppositedirection, means at one of the slot intersections for selectivelyguiding the carriers across the intersection or guiding them into theother slot to reverse their travel, mechanism operable during suchreversal for momentarily speeding up the carriers on one side of saidintersection, and mechanism operable at the same time for momentarilyretarding the carriers on the other side of said intersection; saidspeeding-up mechanism comprising a wiper movably mounted alongside ofone of the driving members adjacent to said intersection, and means formoving said wiper at twice the speed of the horns of said drivingmember.

4. In a braiding machine, the combination with the elements of claim 3,of means for rendering said wiper inoperative within a predeterminedregion of its travel.

5. In a braiding machine, a plate with intersecting serpentine slots, aseries of bobbin carriers, means comprising a horned driving member foreach lobe of the slot pattern for advancing the carriers in one slot inone direction and the carriers in the other slot in the oppositedirection,

means at one of the slot intersections for selectively guiding thecarriers across the intersection or guiding them into the other slot toreverse their travel, mechanism operable during such reversal formomentarily speeding up the carriers on one side of said intersection,and mechanism operable at the same time for momentarily retarding thecarriers on the other side of said intersection; said retardingmechanism comprising means for rendering inoperative, within apredetermined region of their travel, certain horns of one of thedriving members adjacent to said intersection.

6. In a braiding machine, a plate with interseeting serpentine slots, 9.series of bobbin carriers, means comprising a horned driving memv herfor each lobe of the slot pattern for advancing the carriers in one slotin one direction and the carriers in the other slot in the oppositedirection, means at one of the slot intersections for selectivelyguiding the carriers across the intersection or guiding them into theother slot to reverse their travel, mechanism operable during suchreversal for momentarily speeding up the carriers on one side of saidintersection, and mechanism operable at the same time for m0- mentarilyretarding the carriers on the other side of said intersection; saidretarding mechanism comprising retractable horns on one of the drivingmembers adiacent to said intersection, and means for retracting saidhorns to render them inoperative within a predetermined region of theirtravel.

7. In a braiding machine, a plate with intersecting serpentine slots, aseries of bobbin carriers, means comprising a horned driving member foreach lobe of the slot pattern for advancing the carriers in one slot inone direction and the carriers in the other slot in the oppositedirection, the slots being connected by adjacent loops adapted to guidethe carriers from one slot to the other and thereby reverse theirtravel, and means controlling the movements of the carriers during theirtraverse of said loops to maintain the normal spacing between them, saidmeans comprising mechanism for momentarily speeding up the carriers inone of said loops, and mechanism for momentarily retarding the carriersin the other loop.

8. In a braiding machine, the combination set forth in claim 7, saidspeeding-up mechanism comprising a wiper movably mounted alongside ofthe driving member in said first-named loop, and means for moving saidwiper at twice the speed of the horns of said driving member.

9. In a braiding machine, the combination set forth in claim 7, saidretarding mechanism comprising means for rendering inoperative, within apredetermined region ,of their travel, certain horns of the drivingmember in said other loop.

LOUIS HENRY KRIPPENDORF.

